Aston Villa have responded to their dismal opening to the season by stepping up their pursuit of new signings, starting with a €7m (£5.5m) offer for the Genk striker Christian Benteke.

The 21-year-old Belgium forward, who scored his first international goal in the 4-2 win over Holland this month, has attracted interest from several English clubs, including Fulham and Everton, but it is understood that Villa have been monitoring the player for some time and have jumped to the head of the queue.

Benteke, at 6ft 3in, is a powerful figure and would add another attacking option, as well as some much-needed physical presence, to a lightweight forward line. Emile Heskey left on a free transfer in the summer and with Gabriel Agbonlahor injured, Darren Bent is the only experienced striker at Villa Park. Paul Lambert's other forward options are two youngsters, Nathan Delfouneso and Andreas Weimann.

Although Villa remain keen to shift Stephen Warnock and Alan Hutton, who have both been told that they have no future at the club, money will be made available for new signings irrespective of whether they sell the two full-backs before the transfer window closes. Villa are bottom of the Premier League table after losing their opening two matches of the season and the lack of depth and quality in their squad was brutally exposed during Saturday's 3-1 defeat at home against Everton.